b'AIRFIELD SAFETYAUS | DAL | IND 17Data Service Provider platform, a private, validated, dual-frequency ADS-B network. Rankin describes the deployment at AUS as a great and collaborative experience that included site visits, installation, testing and tower deployment. I was very impressed with the expediency and urgency with which everybody worked together to make this happen within a very tight timeline, he shares.While uAvionix performed the installation, the airports Information Technology and Maintenance teams were involved in placing antennas strategically, ensuring reliable power supplies and coordinating installation work. It was nothing that wouldnt be experienced with other projects, but to get it done quickly, people need to be ready to pivot and provide that support to the contractor, says Rankin. To complement the new ADS-B ground surveillance system and further improve safety and efficiency, AUS is launching a virtual ramp control program in September. The integrated command center provides an all-encompassing view around the terminal with radio communications to manage apron traffic. This adds another PHOTO: UAVIONIXkey component to our ability to manage the rapid growth were experiencing and ties in nicely with SAI [the Surface Awareness Initiative], Rankin comments. Were excited to have these two programs working lockstep together.Digital Eyes at DALOfficials at Dallas Love Field (DAL) similarly appreciate the importance of leveraging policies, procedures, technology and tools to enhance situational awareness and increase pandemic. In fact, it was recently reclassified as a large hub airport.operational efficiency. We need to use all the This growth led to more flights and increased air traffic controlpossible resources to meet the objective of demands. [Controllers] have always done a great job managingimproved situational awareness and to have it, but as we look forward, situational awareness becomes morezero runway incursions, says Javier Centeno,JAVIER CENTENOimperative, Rankin explains. Its reassuring to know that extra bit ofsuperintendent of Airport Operations at DAL. the situational awareness component is there. So we were very grateful to be one of the first airports nationwide to receive the system by the FAA.The 90-day deployment at AUS involved close collaboration amongThis June, the Texas airport installed AeroBOSS, an FAA-the FAA, AUS air traffic control and UAvionix, one of three FAA- designated product from Indra that uses ADS-B surveillance designated vendors for its situational awareness program. ADS-Btechnology to receive data on aircraft position and satellite transponders, already equipped on nearly all aircraft in the U.S. sinceconnections and a 5G network to transmit and report surface 2020, were installed on surface vehicles so Air Traffic Control canmovements to air traffic controllers.track ground and air movement in real time. They also get alerts if there are conflictssuch as a runway crossing, Rankin notes.The new capabilities improve real-time FlightLine, the uAvionix ADS-B system, provides controllers withmonitoring and communication, aiding in better real-time depictions of aircraft and vehicles on airfield pavement.decision-making and emergency response, The city is currently working to procure uAvionix VTU-20 ADS-Bnotes Arnold Watkins, airport superintendent. transponders for all airside operations and airfield maintenancePrior to FAAs enhanced attention on surface vehicles and tractors; so far, one FAA tech ops vehicle has beenawareness, DAL already deployed AeroBOSS for vehicle GPS tracking.ARNOLD WATKINSequipped. As a part of its scope for FAAs Surface Awareness Initiative,While the existing airport equipment needed some upgrades uAvionix and its small business partner Capital Sciences deployto support the new technology, Centeno reports that most of the and manage the turnkey installation, provide training, sustainmentinstallations occurred outside of the airport operations area, so and upgrade services for each airport. The uAvionix FlightLinework went smoothly. Having infrastructure already in place was key system for the program is adapted from its FlightLine Surveillanceto what he considers a seamless deployment. AirportImprovement.comOctober 2024'